RunForTheHills

I wasn't going to post initially, but reading other people's posts makes me realise that I might not be alone after all. Really I don't know where to start with this, so if I end up rambling and making zero sense, I apologise in advance. Basically, I'm very confused right now, in terms of religion. First off, my parents are 2 very different people. My mum is a 'moderate' muslim from Tunisia, in that she prays when she can (ie, not at work, sometimes not on time etc) and she does all the 'basic things like fasting, not eating pork, and all the other things that are core to that religion. Anyway, my dad (who's from england) on the other hand nowadays would probably call himself agnostic, not quite athiest but certainly not convinced by any of the 'mainstream' religions. So there's never been that 100% certainty of relgion in our family too begin with. Anyway, ever since I was young my mum has tried to bring us up as a muslim, which I probably would have called myself up until age 12. Up until that point, I think i did all the basic things like not eat non halal/kosher meat, fasting, etc etc etc, like it was second nature. But I think its around that time where I started to actually think abut what I was doing and why, and up until I was about 15 I tried as hard as I could to convice myself that this religion was true and that I had to follw it, etcetera. Nowadays, after 2 years of college and one year of uni, I would probably call myself and agnostic. I think I believe that 'God' has created the universe, and that there is some kind of ultimate purose in life... but I just don't think that anyone can be so sure about what this Higher being intends to do for us/ with us during life or when we die or whatever. What I find baffling is how some people can have so much faith in a book that is written my human hands, and then blindly follow it as if it is the be all and end all. Now I'm not saying that some of the things written in these books aren't good or 'right', because larger portions of it are about teaching mankind how to live a good life and how to take care of people you know and your surroundings. But I'm very skeptical about heaven, and hell especially, and how good deeds are counted like points that count toward a precice scale of good and bad things that you've one at the end of your life. I just find that concept too human-like to have anything to do with a higher power. If someone can tell me how the creator of such a complex and beautiful universe can take a person and send them to two extreme opposite realms based on their behaviour during life, without being evil or hypocritical, please, I would like to hear it. I'm rambling, but basically as I've said, I'm not fully convinced by any of the 3 monotheistic religions, but I do believe that the universe was created by something and that our lives mean something and have purpose. My main worry is how I'll bring up my children in the future. Based on my uncertainty about the whole thing, how could I possibly raise children in a stable way without confusing them with religion? I don't want to tell them how to live their lives based on what happens to you after you die, because I don't fully believe that myself. But at the same time I don't want them to become unruly and feel like they can go around with no rules to constrain them... I don't know. There's also the fact that I feel kind of guilty because ive lost most of my faith (well it was never really THERE in the first place), and I know my mum would be heartbroken if I decided to tell her that I don't want to follow her religion anymore, let alone not bringing up children to be mulims. Now of course my dad coudn't care less about religion, so its not like I have 2 parents bearing down on me, but its still quite hard. So where I am now, basically, is that I'm still living with a parent who still expects us to do all the stuff that I mentioned, incuding fasting, which I've decided, does nothing for me (i fail to understand how depriving your body of food and water to appease god makes any sense whatsoever). The only thing that is likely to stay with me for the long term is the not eating pork thing, and of course, not drinking alcohol - I don't think I'll be able to shake those 2 things off. They are truly a part of me, and I would just feel wrong going against those 2 things. It's a pity it can't be like that with the whole religion I suppose, but I'd rather not deceive myself and do things that I don't belive in. I would just like to say though, that even though as a muslim, my mum is an open minded person. I say this because of the recent dislike towards members of this religion in recent years, and I think the media very much skews things and takes the acts of the minority and makes the rest of them look bad. I just think that she seems to be so defensive becasue she doesn't want us to burn in hell forever for not following the religion... that's where I think religion can be somewhat blinding. Its quite sad really. In conclusion, I'm very much still trying to find myself. And goodness, that was a long post. :stunned:

I would also like to add, that the fact that this album doesn't necessarily have a signature sound like the other three, also has something to do with it not flowing too well. What I mean is, all the songs Parachutes had a decisively mellow and atmospheric sound, while AROBTTH maintained that (perfect) blend of piano and electric guitar even on the more experimental tracks, and X&Y consistently used bigger guitars and synthesizers throughout. Which is why they seem to flow better... because there seems to be a common theme going on (in terms of sound). With VOLVOD, it seems to lack that defining sound that anchores their previous records - There's a hint of Parachutes in songs like Life In Technicolor and Reign of Love, AROBTTH in 42, Yes, CSC and DAAHF, and a bit of X&Y in songs like Cemetaries and Lovers. The other songs, indeed as well as all of the tracks on the new album, also feature a more experimental side of the band not seen or at least hinted at until now. So its like one big mix of an album, full of some of the old, the new, and the different. But you can't really 'pin down' what a typical song off VLVODAAHF sounds like, which I think is the main thing. Because they're all so different. Where songs like Trouble, Clocks and Speed Of Sound arguably 'describe' what their respectives albums sound like, I find it hard to choose a song most representitave of VLVOD.

I agree, and I think I realised this only after a day of listening. I find that the tracks flow well up until the end of Lovers In Japan, then Reign of Love interrupts the flow a little bit. Yes and CSC seem the unlikely pair, but I think they contrast each other well. But as good as Viva La Vida is, it doesn't seem to "fit" after CSC... you couldn't have 2 more different sounding Coldplay songs next to each other. It is tracks 7, 8 & 9 that just sound as if they all came from completely different albums. DAAHF fits quite nicely after Strawberry, though. But overall I would say it is their most diverse album to date... its just that most of the second half of the album is a bit... all over the place. But the songs are still good, so I guess its not too much of a problem. I am a fan of albums that maintain a natural flow, though.

The same thing happened to me a couple of years back (well, slightly different), so I know how that is. Luckily I have my own laptop nowadays, but Ian's right - of you don't log off on the family computer, there's always going to be a risk of someone hijacking your account.

Haha, thanks :nice: And I'm loving the tag, haha :P

Just to say thanks for all the happy birthdays guys, I really appreciate it! :nice: Went ice skating that day with some friends, fell over a fair few times and kept slamming into the ice rink wall (I can't stop to save my life), but it was hilarious. None of us could really walk properly afterwards :p

That signature is amazing! Wow :stunned: :dance:

Wow, you're right! Even the drums are similar.

^Yeah, that intrigued me too... I wonder why that idea never took off? Too much effort with adding the milk maybe. Ah well.

Here it is. 2 minutes silence please :P Designer of Pringles carton buried in crisp tube By Jon Swaine Last Updated: 7:53PM BST 02/06/2008 The designer of the Pringles crisp tube has died – and had his remains buried in one of the containers. The packaging was his 'proudest accomplishment' Dr Fredric J. Baur, who was 89, had told his family to ensure his final resting place was the inside of one of his most famous creations. They honoured his request by having his ashes buried in a Pringles tube – and a more conventional urn for the overflow – at Arlington Memorial Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr Baur, who was a retired chemist and food storage technician at Pringles owners Procter and Gamble, patented the design for the saddle-shaped crisp’s vertical container in 1970. His daughter Linda told the Cincinnati Enquirer that the packaging was his “proudest accomplishment.” He also invented several other products, including a freeze-dried ice cream, which didn’t enjoy as much success. His son Lawrence Baur told the Enquirer: “Basically, what you did, you added milk to it, put it in the freezer and you had ice cream. That was another one he was proud of but just never went anywhere.” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2065818/Designer-of-Pringles-buried-in-crisp-tube.html

Ah, this thread has returned! :dance: Anyone heard that the creator of Pringles died a few weeks back, and wanted his ashes to be kept in a Pringles tube? I'll post an official article if I can find one.

Exactly! Unless they come out with another classic album like that one, AROBTTH will always be the one that they will be remembered for.

That's just fantastic. You really have a knack for this stuff, Thalia! :nice:

*gasp* :stunned: WOW! THAT'S AWESOME! :dance: I feel quite special now :P Thanks for the news dude :wink:

Wow, that's a cool pic right there Ian! That place is becoming quite the attraction :P And Eno's car is gone. I guess the guys kicked him out of the driveway for his slanderous comments towards X&Y :rolleyes:

Turned 19 today. :stunned:

Bye for now Justin, make sure you enjoy yourself at camp! :wink:

Awww, thanks guyyyssss! :D You're all so AWESOME! :dance: Thank you Chelsea! I've always wanted Pringles for my birthday! (and they're Original flavoured, SCORE!) :nice: Oooh and choc-chip cookies! SQEEEEEEEE! :P Haha, love those diamond shaped dancing smilies Indya :laugh3: Classic. And I love the Mario cake! Haha :wacko: PS: Can't wait for London! Its getting close! :nice:

Absolutely stunning! I love the lighting you used here! :nice:

Ahhh, lovely photos Chelsea! :nice: You look really pretty, and that first one is really cool. :D And man. I NEED that vinyl! :dead:

SQEEEEEEEEEEEE! Please please please let it have some kind of a story to it... :D

*fumbles for the fast-forward button*

I know, at least play it a couple of times on tour, so we can hear what it's like. But its absence is definitely worrying me. It's so epic!

It would be a crime not to play DAAHF live. That song seems to be virtually created to end a concert. I love it so much. Oh, and I think they should really give Fix You a rest for a while, but I know that's not going to happen.

Oh wow, that's FANTASTIC! :stunned: I'm speechless! :nice: